United House:​Giving Her Hope

What is United House?

Usually women who have reached the end of their allotted time at the women’s shelter are still on the wait list for Rent Geared to Income housing placements.

​This puts them in the position of choosing between housing they cannot afford, homelessness, or returning to abusive partners.

​Working exclusively with the transitional support workers at the shelter, we fill this gap in affordable housing, dramatically increasing the likelihood of our clients transitioning successfully out of abuse. At United House women (and their children, if applicable) can stay for up to one year while they wait for RGI housing to become available. ​

I'm just so grateful because before I didn't think anyone would notice if I disappeared."

Who Lives at United House?

Our clients are women who have left abusive relationships and transitioning out of that environment to life on their own, often with children. Without support they are at risk of returning to abusive relationships or facing homelessness. Though some have jobs or student loans, most rely on the Ontario Works program for financial assistance, which means as a single woman they receive $376 month to pay for rent, in a city where the average 1 bedroom apartment rents for $950. (Women with children receive slightly more.)

Many have no credit, no job, no bank accounts in their own name, no money management experience, and no sense of their self worth. Most are in their twenties with a child or two but some are older women living alone. Some have made a clean break from their partners, others are actively pursued by their former partners and rely heavily on the security measures put in place at United House. Some need help connecting to Ontario Works, getting their child tax benefits arranged, getting their children registered for school, accessing the Food Bank, writing their resume, applying for jobs, or applying for school themselves. Some need winter boots or strollers, but some have support for their children from their former partner's parents.

​But everyone has a greater chance at a good life through affordable housing. Everyone can use a reminder that, just as they are, they have worth. And everyone benefits from the community of fellow clients and volunteers, and talk about their desire to get to a place in their lives where they can be the ones who help others.

Who Pays the Rent?

The majority of our clients have had to leave abusive situations and are not initially ready to support themselves, so they are provided for through the Ontario Works program. OW gives a portion of funding to be used to secure shelter, and this is the portion of the market rent the women contribute (generally less than 1/2). If our clients were able to pay market value rent then United House would be self-sustaining. The RPC Rent Supplement Program has been created to fill the gap between the cost of rent and what our clients are able to contribute.

How Can I Help?

There are several ways to help us raise funds for the RPC Rent Supplement Program:Our Patron Program gives individuals or groups the option of contributing monthly. This can be done through CanadaHelps.org or through postdated cheques.

$100+/month - Patron of Hope

$50/month - Patron of Healing

$20/month - Patron of Hospitality

One time gifts are also welcome. Consider making a donation yourself, or naming Redwood Park Communities as your charity of choice at your next birthday or anniversary in lieu of gifts.

If your workplace or service groups host events where money is raised for designated charities, consider naming RPC as the benefiting charity.

Some employers will match donations made by their employees to charities, or offer grants that employees can apply for on behalf of a charity.

And of course, please share about the RPC Rent Supplement Program with friends and family who may be interested in supporting this cause.

Our donors: Thank you

RPC gratefully acknowledges the financial contributions to United House by:

Our Rent Supplement Program for United House benefits from the generosity of several monthly patrons: